| DIMAGA vs TLO, Today 11:00 CET, www.assemblytv.net |
This is just what TLO needed. His creative mind struggling with the rigidness of modern build orders and his body struggling with the carpal tunnel syndrome TLO of late has posted perhaps questionable results. His Assembly performance however, is nothing short of amazing. By the skin of his teeth advancing out what many would consider a group of death is no small feat. And the scores - a 3 way tiebreaker speak volumes of how close the group was.
DIMAGA's advancement as well signifies the end of the long drought in the Ukrainian Zerg's international career. While still managing to maintain dominance in the eastern block and winning 3 ASUS championships in a row, DIMAGA, once the king of foreigner zergs was struggling to come to terms with modern zerg playstyles.
The favorite in this match is clear - over the entirety of his career DIMAGA has sported the most solid and reliable ZvT amongst foreigners. While struggling at times with the other match ups the Ukrainian has never really let loose of his grip on the understanding of his terran opponents, not even during the dark ages of 5 rax reaper.
TLO on the other hand has not had a record over .500 against Zerg since beta. Surely his creative and aggressive style is capable of grinding down any lesser opponent, but DIMAGA is not one of those. Being one of the most solid and clutch zerg DIMAGA sports a cheese defense to rival Nestea, and catching him off guard would be almost impossible. The Ukrainian himself describes TLO playstyle as "as risky as an all in, but less effective."
| Round of 16 | GGDB | TLPD vZ/T | Money Lines 08:35 PST |
 TheLittleOne | 75-72 (51%) | 31-47 (39.74%) | 4.260@Pinnaclesports.com |
 DIMAGA | 159-102 (61%) | 166-115 (59.07%) | 1.244@PinnacleSports.com |
| MorroW vs Welmu, Today 11:00 CET, www.assemblytv.net |
Welmu's advancement was as nail-bitingly close as that as TLO, although he did, perhaps, encounter an easier group. To the disappointment of many fans it took a deep dig into the admin rule book to determine that the Finn is advancing over the international superstar and heartthrob Grubby. His opponent, Morrow, had a less bumpy road to playoffs, sweeping his, perhaps as well "easier", group 3-0.
One of the forefathers of the baneling style ZvP, the last time the Swede lost ZvP was over a month ago, while Welmu showed clear weaknesses in the match up with his present group stage loss to LaLuSh.
Clear favorite - Morrow - is a shoe in to advance to face a winner of BratOk vs SarenS.
| Round of 16 | GGDB | TLPD vZ/P | Money Lines 08:35 PST |
 Welmu | 6-13 (33%) | 8-14 (36.36%) | 6.850@PinnacleSports.com |
 MorroW | 222-101 (69%) | 112-87 (56.28%) | 1.120@Pinnaclesports.com |
| BratOK vs SarenS, Today 11:00 CET, www.assemblytv.net |
One might be quick to make a pick in this match up. The Russian Terran has strong pedigree, shares a team with Strelok and is way more active in the online tournament scene. But think about that - the very same Zerg to avoid who BratOK forced the comical series against Stephano- that very same Zerg has falled to SarenS in group stages.
And while the Frenchman might seem inactive in the online tournaments look at his outings- Assembly, DreamHack, WCG France and eGG One StarLeague - SarenS does not take this lightly. All the extra time SarenS has he dedicated to practice, having the big tournaments in his sights rather then small and mostly meaningless online titles. And the results generally speak for themselves 2nd at the Insomnia i41 LAN, Winner of eOSL, 2nd at WCG France - SarenS is always a contender at a LAN event.
Add in the fact that Frenchman was able to take a game against 70% TvT Bomber at DreamHack and 3.4 line looks like a steal.
| Round of 16 | GGDB | TLPD vT | Money Lines 08:35 PST |
 BratOK | 138-68 (67%) | 112-59 (65.50%) | 1.345@Pinnaclesports.com |
 SarenS | 68-29 (70%) | 32-22 (59.26%) | 3.390@PinnacleSports.com |
| MaNa vs NaDa, Today 11:00 CET, www.assemblytv.net |
It has been a while since MaNa took silver in DreamHack Winter '10 but for the first time since then the Polish Protoss is looking simply unstoppable. There has been not a quirk in his road, 2-0ing both Jimpo and Dark.Force(for comparison HuK lost to Jimpo and barely beat Dark.Force 2-1) and edging out the Korean-trained Canadian-bred HuK 2-1, knocking the ladder out of playoffs contention.
NaDa on the other hand has not been so lucky. Historically exhibiting a strong TvP in GSL, he barely managed to advance from his group after dropping a set to elfitajja and going to the ace match against NightEnd, the BroodWar GOAT has displayed a very shaky TvP.
It is for that display of weakness that we believe that MaNa is a big favorite to win this Ro16 match up - and quiet possibly the entire thing. Scandinavia seems to be a magical place for the young Pole.
| Round of 16 | GGDB | TLPD vT/P | Money Lines 08:35 PST |
 MaNa | 133-91 (59%) | 151-98 (60.64%) | 2.250@Pinnaclesports.com |
 NaDa | 37-24 (61%) | 12-8 (60.00%) | 1.685@PinnacleSports.com |
